Awards, Accolades, Achievements

The City of Ames has won numerous awards for being a progressive, innovative, and exciting community.

We have been recognized locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally for our schools, creativity, amenities, commitment to the environment, and quality of life.

Awards

  • No.3 on the list of 5 College Towns to Live in After Graduation (Livability, 2023)
  • No 3 Best Small Cities for Small Businesses (VerizonSpecials.com, 2023)
  • One of the Top 100 Best Places to Live (Livability, 2022)
  • No. 32 Most Educated Cities in the Country (24/7 Wall Street, 2022)
  • River Town of the Year (Iowa Rivers Revival, 2021)
  • No. 1 10 Best States to Retire in 2021 (MoneyRates, 2021)
  • No. 5 Best Iowa High Schools (US News & World Report, 2021)
  • No. 21 Most Livable College Towns (SmartAsset, 2021)
  • No. 22 Top Cities for Shorter, Better-Paid Hours (RewardExpert, 2021)
  • No. 2 Top 10 Cities for Working Parents (SmartAsset, 2020)
  • No. 6 Best U.S. Cities to Live in After the Pandemic (Business Insider, 2020)
  • No. 15 Top 100 Places to Live (Livability, 2020)
  • No. 42 Best Housing Markets for Growth & Stability (SmartAsset, 2020)
  • One of the 13 Best Places to Visit in Iowa (Trips to Discover, 2020)
  • Ames is officially designated as a Bird Friendly Community (2020). Read more in the 8/20/20 press release(PDF, 162KB)
  • No. 6 AG Top 25: The Most Affordable College Towns for Renters (ApartmentGuide.com, 2019)
  • No. 9 Top 10 Best U.S. States for Education (US News, 2019)
  • No. 14 Overall Best States Rankings (US News, 2019)
  • No. 7 Top 10 Cities for Career Opportunities in 2019 (SmartAsset, 2019)
  • No. 4 Best Places for Millennials to Move (Reviews.org, 2019)
  • No. 39 Best Small Cities for Business (Chamber of Commerce, 2019)
  • No. 1 10 Best States in America for Jobs (Zippia, 2019)
  • No. 6 10 Best College Towns in America (BestColleges, 2023)
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